Chronic fatigue syndrome may finally have treatment

One of the problems anyone who has filed a long-term disability insurance claim in Miami has had is proving disability. Oftentimes, insurance companies will try very hard to deny benefits by claiming an applicant is not disabled or by arguing that while the applicant may not be able to perform his or her old job, there are still things that he or she can do. Sometimes, insurance companies may deny someone their insurance claims because the company has said the individual is not permanently disabled. Working with a disability insurance attorney, however, may be one of the best ways to get the disability insurance benefits an applicant deserves.

One of those conditions that has led to many denials of insurance benefits is chronic fatigue syndrome. Whether it is because scientists and doctors are still trying to figure the condition out or because there is still no unified definition of just what the symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome are, insurance companies may be hesitant to award benefits for a claim of chronic fatigue syndrome. With news that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration will be reviewing a treatment for the condition, it is possible that more insurance companies will need to recognize chronic fatigue syndrome as a disabling condition.

The experimental drug Ampligen has been in the works for the past 20 years. During that time, the drug was brought before the FDA once, but it was not approved because studies failed to show that the drug was effective. Since its rejection, the drug’s manufacturer has reviewed the studies’ evidence and made a new analysis in support of its approval. The FDA had scheduled a hearing for the drug late last month.

If approved, Ampligen would be the first recognized treatment for chronic fatigue syndrome. Currently, there are no drugs or medical treatments that alleviate the symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome, which can include muscle pain, extreme exhaustion and memory issues. For many people living with the disease, there is no work that they are able to do and they are reliant on disability insurance benefits.